Supporters of ousted president in Maldives clash with police

An army officer kicks a tear gas cannister during a clash with the supporters of ousted Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed in Male on February 8. The ousted president of the Maldives, credited with bringing democracy to the Indian Ocean island resort, said on Wednesday he was forced out of power at gunpoint, prompting clashes between police and angry supporters.

Sinan Hussain / AP

Maldivian policemen chase supporters of Mohamed Nasheed, who resigned Tuesday from his post as Maldivian president, in Male, Maldives, Wednesday, Feb. 8. Supporters of Nasheed rioted through the streets of the capital Wednesday, throwing petrol bombs at police and demanding he be reinstated. The chaos erupted after Nasheed's successor, President Mohammed Waheed Hassan, appealed for a government of national unity to end the political turmoil that has wracked the country for months.

Ishara S.kodikara / AFP - Getty Images

Maldivian police push back a protester wounded in clashes between police and thousands of anti-government protesters in the capital island Male on Feb. 8. Several thousand supporters of Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed clashed with police and troops in riot gear, a day after his resignation which he blamed on a coup d'etat.

Eranga Jayawardena / AP

Mohamed Nasheed, center, who resigned Tuesday from his post as Maldivian president, marches along with his supporters during a rally in Male, Maldives, Wednesday, Feb. 8. Supporters of Nasheed rioted through the streets of the capital Wednesday, throwing petrol bombs at police and demanding he be reinstated. The chaos erupted after Nasheed's successor, President Mohammed Waheed Hassan, appealed for a government of national unity to end the political turmoil that has wracked the country for months.

From Reuters: MALE — The ousted president of the Maldives, credited with bringing democracy to the Indian Ocean island resort, said on Wednesday he was forced out of power at gunpoint, prompting clashes between police and angry supporters.

Police tried to break up the protests with tear gas and baton charges as former president Mohamed Nasheed's party said he too was "beaten" by police.